FOOTBALL: Knutsford hand over title, but end term on a high

DREAMS of holding onto their Cheshire League crown had long since faded, but Knutsford ended the season with a seven-game unbeaten run following Saturday’s draw.

Reds took the lead midway through the second half thanks to James Pickford’s strike but the hosts – still with an outside chance of finishing first – equalized three minutes later through Ray Dwolitka.

Twice during the opening stages Whaley Bridge capitalized on poor touches from Knutsford defenders but failed to take their chances.

Bill Sutton fired wide from an angle, while a Dwolitka attempt cannoned off the bar.

Joe Woolley’s influence then began to grow, the teenager watching a curling effort deflected inches wide before shooting on the turn a minute later only for goalkeeper James Tattershall to tip it around the post.

It was Knutsford’s turn to test the woodwork on the half hour mark, when Lee Mannion’s free kick struck the bar.

At the other end, goalkeeper Mark Higgs kept the game goalless when Jack Gregory found Joe Burgess free in the area but he was denied by the visitors’ custodian.

With 25 minutes to go Knutsford took the lead; clever interplay between Kingsley Grandison and Vinnie Braine saw the latter laying off for Pickford to slot into the corner.

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The hosts levelled when Gregory sent Dwolitka clear and, although Higgs got a hand to his effort, the ball bounced crept into the net.

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